The following is a press release courtesy of Duquesne University:
Duquesne University swimming coach David Sheets recently announced the addition of six new swimmers for the 2014-15 season. Joining the Dukes will be Kaitlyn Bentzel (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley), Michelle Heim (Greensboro, N.C./Ragsdale), Kayla Owens (Youngstown, Pa./Greater Latrobe), Alexandra Santer (Wilmington, Dela./Charter School of Wilmington), Gabrielle Sibilia (Wooster, Ohio/Wooster) and Abby Watson (Chesterfield, Mo./Marquette).
Bentzel is a three-year high school swimmer and 11-year YMCA swimming competitor. She has qualified and competed at the YMCA short course nationals and has also qualified and placed at her high school Mid Penn conference meet and district meet.
Heim joins the Dukes as a team MVP and three-time All-Conference honoree in high school. She is also a five-year competitor for the GCY Swim Team where she is a team record holder, 2012 Coach’s Award winner and a member of the National swim team.
Owens was a three-year letter-winner for a high school team that finished fourth in the state and was Westmoreland County champions. She was a two-time All-American in the 200 IM, 100 breaststroke and 200 medley and 400 freestyle relays. She was also a Westmoreland County champion in the 200 IM and 100 breast.
Santer was a YMCA short course national championship finalist in the 200 backstroke, 100 back, 200 IM, 400 IM and various relays. She was a three-year high school participant for her state championship team and holds the school record in the 100 backstroke and several relays.
Sibilia swam for a high school team which had two consecutive undefeated seasons, was conference champions and finished 10th in the state and fifth in the district. The Ohio Cardinal Conference Swimmer of the Year was a state qualifier and All-Ohio in the 50 free, 200 medley relay and 400 free relay.
Watson is her high school’s school record holder in the 100 backstroke and 200 medley. A three-time varsity letter-winner and team co-captain as a senior, she was the team’s MVP in 2012. In addition, she competed with the Rockwood Swim Club where her team won the Region VIII team championship in 2011.